Why firms adhere to or deviate from their strategic plans is poorly un

(B) suggest a reason that many managers of large firm prefer harvest strategies to build strategies
You're overlooking the word "prefer". The passage nowhere talks about the Preference of managers (what managers favor)
A single word can make an answer choice wrong in RC.

. Great passage! 11 minutes, all correct.

Thanks TaN1213 for the explanation!

We are told that "managers in harvest strategy scenarios were more able to adhere to their business plans", but this does not necessary mean that managers prefer harvest strategies. Perhaps managers prefer build strategies even though it's harder to adhere to business plans under build strategies. In other words, we have no idea how the ease of adhering to business plans affects managers' preferences.

For example, ordering fast food is much EASIER than preparing a home-cooked meal, but that does not necessarily mean that you PREFER fast food.

Choice (A) is the best answer.

Here's the question again:


In other words, why does the author say this?

There's one clue right off the bat: This sentence starts with the word "however." The author is immediately referring back to the a prior statement and adding some kind of qualification to what was said previously. In the first paragraph the author tells us that top management decision-sharing may increase the likelihood that firms will adhere to their plans. Then, with this sentence, the author tells us that top management decision sharing may not be the only factor when determining why a firm adheres to its plan. As I wrote earlier, the author uses this sentence to qualify the previous sentence, and this is why we keep choice (D) around.

Now let's take a look at choice (E):

Is the purpose of this sentence to explain the distinction between "build" and "harvest" strategies? Nope. Here the author names a possible second influence on a firm's adherence to strategy (the kind of strategic mission that firm is pursuing). The author uses this sentence to call into question the influence stated in paragraph 1 (top management decision sharing).

Choice (E) tells us about a thing that the author does eventually write about in paragraph 2, but it doesn't tell us why the author writes the exact sentence that is being highlighted. So it doesn't answer the question we were asked.

That's why eliminate (E) and keep (D). I hope this helps!

Question 1 again

Question 1 asks us about the function of the yellow text. In other words, WHY did the author write that sentence? How does it serve his/her argument as a whole?

To answer this question, you must go outside of the yellow text itself. It's impossible to determine the purpose of a particular sentence without seeing how it fits into the bigger picture.

Take this example:

"The Broncos will make it to the playoffs this year."

I can change the function of this sentence if I add different stuff into my argument as a whole:

"Because the team has a great new quarterback, the Broncos will make it to the playoffs this year." Here, the highlighted text is my conclusion.

"The Broncos will make it to the playoffs this year, so I should buy a season pass to watch them play." Now, the same exact piece of text is supporting evidence for my conclusion.

So, yes -- you have to go outside of the highlighted text to determine how that piece functions in context of the argument as a whole.

I hope that helps!

Took 10 mins, including 3 mins to read the passage and got the last question incorrect


1. Which of the following best describes the function of the first sentence (lines 17-24) of the second paragraph of the passage?

(D) To qualify an assertion made in the preceding sentence about how top management decision-making affects the likelihood that firms will adhere to their strategic plans - Correct

In particular, top management decision sharing—consensus-oriented, team-based decision-making—may increase the likelihood that firms will adhere to their plans, because those involved in the decision-making may be more committed to the chosen course of action, thereby increasing the likelihood that organizations will subsequently adhere to their plans.


2. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following firms would be most likely to adhere to it strategic plans?

(B) One that is pursuing a harvest strategy and whose strategic plans were developed through the process of decision-sharing - Correct

- In particular, top management decision sharing—consensus-oriented, team-based decision-making—may increase the likelihood that firms will adhere to their plans
-In a study of strategic practices in several large firms, managers in harvest strategy scenarios were more able to adhere to their business plans.

3. The author includes the quotation in lines 44-47 of the passage most probably in order to

(A) lend support to the claim that firms utilizing harvest strategies may be more likely to adhere to their strategic plans

“Typically all a manager has to do [when implementing a harvest strategy] is that which was done last year.” Additionally, managers under harvest strategies may have fewer strategic options than do those under build strategies


4. According to the theory and research discussed in the first paragraph of the passage, which of the following may be true of firms that use teams to develop their strategic plans?

(C) They are less to deviate from their strategic plans because team members may be more committed to the plans.
In particular, top management decision sharing—consensus-oriented, team-based decision-making—may increase the likelihood that firms will adhere to their plans, because those involved in the decision-making may be more committed to the chosen course of action, thereby increasing the likelihood that organizations will subsequently adhere to their plans.


5. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) identify some of the obstacles that make it difficult for firms to adhere to their strategic business plans - Incorrect
(B) compare two different theories concerning why firms adhere to or deviate from their strategic plans
(C) evaluate the utility of top management decision-sharing as a method of implementing the strategic mission of a business - Incorrect - too narrow
(D) discuss the respective advantages and disadvantages of build and harvest strategies among several large firms - Incorrect - Only second paragraph discusses about build and harvest strategies
(E) examine some of the factors that may affect whether or not firms adhere to their strategic plans

Even I could not decide between options B and E As per BTG , the OA is B . hazelnut - can you please confirm ?

Below is an excerpt from a discussion on BTG .

It has to do with the topic and scope of the passage, which come in the very first sentence of this passage:

"Why firms adhere to or deviate from their strategic plans is poorly understood."

Do you see how the language here is replicated word for word in the second half of choice B? This first sentence tells us that the author is interested in the fact that it is poorly understood why firms adhere to or deviate from the strategic plans that they made for themselves. The second sentence of the passage begins with the important contrast keyword "however". This tells us that although we don't really know why firms choose to follow or stray from their plans, there is theory and research that "suggest" certain conclusions. So, just from the first sentence, and the first word of the second sentence, we can tell that the author's purpose is, roughly: "to discuss theory that will shed light as to why firms adhere to or deviate from their strategic plans." (We learn later that he ends up comparing two theories but we already had enough info to answer the global question).

This analysis clearly matches choice B.

Choice E is tempting but it is a little bid too broad and not quite precise enough to match the author's intent in writing the passage. Choice E makes it sound as though the factors (that influence whether a firm adheres to or deviates from plan) are well understood; otherwise, how would he be able to "examine" them? But he said that the reason firms adhere to or deviate from are "poorly understood". (And, of course, if the factors were well known, there would be no need to turn to theory or research). So, choice E, in addition to being imprecise, also tends to contradict the author's opening sentence.

Why firms adhere to or deviate from their strategic plans is poorly understood. However, theory and limited research suggest that the process through which such plans emerge may play a part. In particular, top management decision-sharing— consensus-oriented, team-based decision-making—may increase the likelihood that firms will adhere to their plans, because those involved in the decision-making may be more committed to the chosen course of action, thereby increasing the likelihood that organizations will subsequently adhere to their plans.

However, the relationship between top management decision-sharing and adherence to plans may be affected by a firm’s strategic mission (its fundamental approach to increasing sales revenue and market share, and generating cash flow and short-term profits). At one end of the strategic mission continuum, “build” strategies are pursued when a firm desires to increase its market share and is willing to sacrifice short-term profits to do so. At the other end, “harvest” strategies are used when a firm is willing to sacrifice market share for short-term profitability and cash-flow maximization. Research and theory suggest that top management decision-sharing may have a more positive relationship with adherence to plans among firms with harvest strategies than among firms with build strategies. In a study of strategic practices in several large firms, managers in harvest strategy scenarios were more able to adhere to their business plans. As one of the managers in the study explained it, this is partly because “typically all a manager has to do [when implementing a harvest strategy] is that which was done last year.” Additionally, managers under harvest strategies may have fewer strategic options than do those under build strategies; it may therefore be easier to reach agreement on a particular course of action through decision-sharing, which will in turn tend to promote adherence to plans. Conversely, in a “build” strategy scenario, individual leadership, rather than decision-sharing, may promote adherence to plans. Build strategies—which typically require leaders with strong personal visions for a firm’s future, rather than the negotiated compromise of the team-based decision—may be most closely adhered to when implemented in the context of a clear strategic vision of an individual leader, rather than through the practice of decision-sharing.


1. Which of the following best describes the function of the first sentence of the second paragraph of the passage? (refer to highlighted text)

To answer a question posed in the first sentence of the passage about why firms adopt particular strategic missions
To refute an argument made in the first paragraph about how top management decision-making affects whether firms will adhere to their strategic plans
To provide evidence supporting a theory introduced in the first paragraph about what makes firms adhere to or deviate from their strategic plants
To qualify an assertion made in the last sentence of the first paragraph about how top management decision-making affects the likelihood that firms will adhere to their strategic plans
To explain a distinction relied on in the second paragraph regarding two different kinds of strategic missions

2. The passage cites all of the following as differences between firms using build strategies and firms using harvest strategies EXCEPT

their willingness to sacrifice short term profits in order to build market share
their willingness to sacrifice building market share in order to increase short-term profitability
the number of strategic options available to their managers
the relative importance they assign to maximizing cash-flow
how likely they are to employ decision-sharing in developing strategic plans

3. The primary purpose of the passage is to

identify some of the obstacles that make it difficult for firms to adhere to their strategic business plans
compare two different theories concerning why firms adhere to or deviate from their strategic plans
evaluate the utility of top management decision-sharing as a method of implementing the strategic mission of a business
discuss the respective advantages and disadvantages of build and harvest strategies among several large firms
examine some of the factors that may affect whether or not firms adhere to their strategic plans

4. The author includes the quotation in lines 44-47 of the passage most probably in order to

lend support to the claim that firms utilizing harvest strategies may be more likely to adhere to their strategic plans
suggest a reason that many managers of large firm prefer harvest strategies to build strategies
provide an example of a firm that adhered to its strategic plan because of the degree of its managers' commitment
demonstrate that managers implementing harvest strategies generally have better strategic options than do managers implementing build strategies
give an example of a large firm that successfully implemented a harvest strategy

Hi GMATNinja,

For the below question can you please explain how option E is the correct choice.
As per my understanding :
"Additionally, managers under harvest strategies may have fewer strategic options than do those under build strategies; it may therefore be easier to reach agreement on a particular course of action through decision-sharing, which will in turn tend to promote adherence to plans." this section from the passage clearly conveys what is mentioned in option E.


2. The passage cites all of the following as differences between firms using build strategies and firms using harvest strategies EXCEPT

their willingness to sacrifice short term profits in order to build market share
their willingness to sacrifice building market share in order to increase short-term profitability
the number of strategic options available to their managers
the relative importance they assign to maximizing cash-flow
how likely they are to employ decision-sharing in developing strategic plans

Thanks

This does not appear to be one of the original questions. Please refer to the official questions in the original post.

Furthermore, choice (E) talks about the LIKELIHOOD of employing decision-sharing. The passage says that "it may be easier" for managers under harvest strategies to reach agreements using decision-sharing, but the passage does not compare the LIKELIHOOD that such firms would actually use decision-sharing. In other words, even though it might be easier, we don't know whether the managers actually take advantage of it.

Hey GMATNinja

Can you explain question #1?

I selected B. My reasoning is as follows: -

The last line of the first paragraph says that decision sharing by top management will eventually increase the likelihood of companies to adhere to their respective plans.

But, The first line of the second paragraph says that the "strategic mission",coupled with decision sharing, of the company is an important factor that may affect the adherence to their respective plans.

I eliminated D because I don't think it is "qualifying" an assertion made in the previous sentence. Rather it is refuting saying that decision making along with the strategic mission will affect the likelihood, and not only decision making alone will affect the likelihood. The usage of "however" as well is an indicator of change or shift or refute the previous line.

Hence I selected option B. Let me know your thoughts

Hi,

I think Answer to Question 5 is wrong. It should be B because the whole passage is actually trying the answer the question raised in 1st sentence of the passage.

E cannot be the answer because its scope is limited to only 2nd paragraph.

D can NEVER be correct.

Please confirm before we update the OA.

Question 5's OA should be "B". It clearly takes into account the complete picture of the passage.
Nowhere the passage discusses the individual advantages and disadvantages of the 2 theories.

Hi all,

Please kindly explain why B is not the correct answer for question 3. Thanks a lot.

GMATNinja

Hi, in Q3, from my understanding of the passage, using decision-sharing, firms with harvest are more likely to adhere to their strategic plans than do firms with build, but the passage does not compare the adherence to strategic plans of firms with harvest using decision-sharing with adherence to strategic plans of firms with build using, right? But Option A means Firms with harvest are more likely to adhere to their strategics plans [than firms with build]. Should that be wrong? Thanks!

I believe you made a typo in your question, but I think I know what you're asking...

The passage says that decision sharing increases odds of adhering to strategic plans. So, in terms of adhering to strategic plans, decision sharing is better than non-decision sharing.

We are then told that, within the category of decision sharing, harvest is better than build (in terms of adhering to strategic plans). But what if we compare two companies, one with decision sharing and build and another with non-decision sharing and harvest? Which is more likely to adhere to its strategic vision? I believe this is what you are asking about.

Sure, maybe it's possible that a non-decision sharing company with harvest has better odds of adhering than a decision-sharing company with build. But that's not what the passage is trying to tell us. The passage is trying to tell us that, in terms of adherence to strategic plans, decision sharing is better than non-decision sharing. Now, if we look only at companies with decision sharing, harvest is better than build.

Even if the scenario described above were possible, question #3 asks us why the author included that quote. The quote was clearly intended to support the idea that harvest is better than build in terms of adherence to plans. Whether this is ALWAYS true is irrelevant. (A) is the best answer.

I hope this helps!

Thanks for the wonderful explanation GMATNinja. This really did help a lot.
+1

Question 5 answer cannot be B. Two Strategies rather than theories have been compared in the passage.
E is correct

Posted from my mobile device

GMATNinja hello there,

can you please give advise/some tips about how to approach the question type " primary purpose of the passage" i was between C and E and chose C i mostly seem to answer incorectly this type of questions/. the rest questions i answered correctly.

thank you and have a nice weekend